Collapsible Frame for Carriages

The present invention is directed to a collapsible frame, and especially to a collapsible frame for use in perambulators, carriages, strollers, and the like.

There are many well-known types of collapsible frames which typically rely on a scissors-type linkage for folding and opening. These prior art mechanisms, however, are often difficult to manipulate and hard to keep in the open position.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a collapsible frame for use in a carriage and the like which is easily maneuverable, is foldable into a very small size for easy storage and transport, and can be produced simply and inexpensively.

The collapsible frame of the present invention has a front leg portion pivotally connected to a tie bar that is also pivotally connected to a side member which supports a basket-bassinet, and the like. Further, the side member is pivotally connected to a rear leg of the frame, and both the front and rear legs are pivotally connected to a handlebar. Upon rotation of the handlebar relative to the front leg, the entire frame collapses and folds into a compact arrangement. Moreover, in order to allow for such collapse and to give the frame structural integrity, the side member has a curved portion which is pivoted to the rear leg.

The present invention affords a collapsible carriage or stroller by providing two parallel collapsible frames mounted on a front and a rear wheel-axle arrangement. Further, this type of collapsible frame does not interfere with cross folding where such a feature is required in strollers and similar vehicles for children.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive material in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the improved collapsible frame of the present invention in its open condition; and

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the improved collapsible frame of the present invention in its folded, collapsed condition.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the improved collapsible frame of the invention. The collapsible frame which is placed on each side of a carriage, stroller or similar vehicle, is made up of a front leg 5 on the forward end which is mounted on a front wheel-axle arrangement 5. Pivoted intermediate the ends of the front leg 5 is a tie bar 4 which is pivoted at its other end to one end of a side member 1. The side member 1 has a pair of notches 2 spaced along its length with the notches arranged to receive side lugs 2' on a basket-bassinet B, or similar carrier. On the side member 1 located between the notches, is a pin or connector 3 for coupling a hook-catch 3' which also engages with one of the side lugs 2' of the basket-bassinet B shown spaced from its support. The other end of the side member 1, remote from the tie bar 4, is pivotally connected to a rear leg 8 intermediate its ends. At one end, the rear leg is pivotally connected to a conventional rear wheel-axle arrangement 8' while its other end is pivotally connected to a handlebar 7 via a flange 9. The handlebar 7 is, in turn, also pivotally attached to the upper end of the front leg 5 via a shaped flange 6 and it has a rectangular ring-shaped handle 7' at its free end. The handlebar is rotatable relative to the flange 6 which is fixedly attached to the end of the front leg 5. The side member is inflected or bent adjacent its opposite end from the tie bar 4 and forms a slightly curved portion 1a which is connected to the rear leg 8 at a position between the ends of the rear leg. While the portion 1a is shown slightly curved it could be straight but disposed angularly to the remainder of the side member 1 because of the bend or inflection in the side member.

In operation, assuming the collapsible frame is in its open condition as shown in FIG. 1, the collapsible frame is folded into its collapsed condition shown in FIG. 2 by rotating the handlebar 7 counterclockwise as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1. The rotation of the handlebar 7 about the upper end of the front leg 5 carries with it the rear leg 8 which is pivoted to the side member 1. Continued rotation of the handlebar in the counterclockwise direction places the front leg in a horizontal position, while displacing the tie bar 4 and the side member 1 into an approximately horizontal position. After the handlebar has reached the position shown in FIG. 2, the rear leg 8 is approximately horizontal and extends outwardly from the upper end of the front leg 5. It is noted that, since the side member 1 is pivotally connected to the rear leg 8, the rear leg is forced into its collapsed position shown in FIG. 2 by the downward movement of the side member 1 in response to downward movement of the handlebar 7.

The handlebar 7 can be held in the open position shown in FIG. 1 by various known locking devices.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that numerous changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.